| Week at the Wheel | Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 HSE |

Inside & Out:

The arrival of the fourth generation of the Land Rover Discovery brings with it a raft of changes including a new grille, headlamps and tail-lights, while revisions to the front bumper freshen things up nicely. The distinctive appearance remains though and it's unmistakably a Land Rover that retains clear links to the previous version. Should a buyer wish to add some bling then the options list contains a number of appropriate items, not least some tasty 20 inch multi-spoke alloys.

Thanks to further enhancements, the Discovery's cabin now stands up to comparison with many luxury cars, with wood, leather and metal generously spread across the variety of well-finished surfaces. The fit and finish is noticeably improved and the feel of quality is welcome. Interior space is vast, which contrasts with some rivals who manage to be wasteful with the potential on offer courtesy of their considerable external dimensions. The Disco has seven genuinely useful seats, the rearmost row made so by the ingenious folding mechanism of the seats. When raised, they create their own foot well and the two-tiered roof arrangement yields more than enough headroom.

Engine & Transmission:

Land Rover's latest diesel engine, shared in differing forms with Jaguar, raises the game further in this area. The 2.7-litre unit is a decent engine, but this newer 3.0-litre version adds some additional muscle that makes a significant difference. It also brings with it some improved refinement, and with little or no impact on economy. Boasting 244bhp, but more tellingly 443lb.ft, the sequentially turbocharged V6 engine, driving through the slick six-speed 'commandshift' automatic gearbox, gives the Discovery a surprising amount of performance, with 0-62mph dispatched in only 9.6 seconds and effortless performance on tap at any legal speed.

Ride & Handling:

It says much that the Discovery has evolved into a vehicle that is more than competent on the road, the agricultural roots and underpinnings of the original supplanted by sophisticated air suspension system capable of working in any environment you could think of to extend the car. On the road, the chassis makes a fine job of disguising the Discovery's bulk and the ride is comparable to that found in the majority of large saloon cars on the market. The suspension's ability to rise and lower to aid access and off-roading is a boon in many situations.

On the road it's - perhaps expectedly - not as capable as the Range Rover Sport or BMW X5, but ultimate handling prowess is not the main criteria on a buyer's checklist when it comes to cars such as these. We did not stray off the tarmac during our time with the car (it's doubtful that the majority of Discovery drivers ever do) but the array of gadgets and functionality, which encapsulate all of Land Rover's expertise in the turn of a dial, are available to ease one's progress through difficult terrain. It's likely that more road focused rivals would not be able to cross the same ground as a Discovery when pushed to the limits.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

As you'd expect, fuel economy is not a strong suit in a car as large as the Discovery, though this too has been improved in a 25mpg average - with nearer 30mpg possible at a motorway cruise. It's worth noting that in the real world the 3.0-litre engine (only available with an automatic transmission) offers economy and emissions comparable to the manual 2.7-litre car and Land-Rover's carbon offset policy is carried over, ensuring that the environmentalist lobby are placated somewhat.

At £48,795 (best on-line price of £45,000 at the time of writing) the HSE is competitive with rivals from Audi and BMW. However, it's depreciation that remains the biggest financial issue in cars like these - expect to take a heavy hit over the early years of the car's life, though no heavier than that of the alternatives. The HSE trim level brings with it all you'd need in terms of essentials plus premium upgrades for the satnav and stereo. That's not to say that there isn't a long options list of luxuries such as iPod connectivity, TV and DVD and a heated steering wheel.

Overall:

It's hard to understate how much the Land Rover Discovery has evolved during the model's lifetime. It has become a capable road car that stands favourable comparison with offerings from the best car manufacturers, whilst building on its off-road roots to ensure it stays ahead of the game in that aspect. In terms of versatility the Discovery 4 has all the bases covered; it can perform as a capacious load carrier or MPV with aplomb. It's a premium product and the price reflects that, but the package justifies the outlay.